NACE 2009: Report

Citation

(2009), "NACE 2009: Report", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 56 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2009.12856dac.004

NACE 2009: Report

Article Type: Conferences, training and publications From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 56, Issue 4

CORROSION 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a successful meeting with over 4,500 corrosion industry professionals coming together during the week of 22-26 March, 2009. Overall feedback has been very positive from the attendees who experienced more than 240 technical meetings, forums and symposia.

Over 320 exhibiting companies met conference attendees during the large turnout at the Expo Grand Opening on Monday night and throughout the week. Several exhibitors commented that they were pleased with the quality of prospects they met, and based upon this year’s attendance, exhibit space for CORROSION 2010 is now 70 per cent sold.

During the week, after-hours events like the Mix ’n Mingle and Rock the Beach allowed the socializing and fun to continue late into the night. And, attendees thoroughly enjoyed the Annual Awards Banquet held at the Georgia Aquarium, which seemed like an underwater dining experience with whale sharks, stingrays, and beluga whales swimming in the ballroom’s aquariums.

At the conference opening, NACE International Executive Director Tony Keane welcomed the audience saying, “This is a great week to meet industry experts, a great week to learn.”

Mark Byerley Sr, President of NACE International, then added that despite current economic woes, NACE International continues to grow. As of the opening of the conference, NACE International membership had reached 21,235, representing a 43 per cent increase since 2005 and an 8 per cent increase over this same time last year.

Byerley went on to say that NACE International membership, as well as the conference, offers those in the business a competitive edge. Byerley then introduced Mike Helton, President of NASCAR, as the NACE International Corrosion 2009 keynote speaker. Helton opened with an inspiring video about NASCAR, its technical focus through racing and its R&D facility in Concord, NC.

According to NASCAR, it is the number-one spectator sport in the USA, holding 17 of the top 20 highest-attended sporting events last year.

Helton entertained the audience with stories about NASCAR’s beginnings on the beaches of Daytona, FL, in the 1940s. He talked about how corrosion caused by the salt and sand on early race cars may had an effect on engineering decisions for both cars and tracks.

Helton noted that the influence of technology has had a major impact on NASCAR, which continues today through its R&D center. NASCAR, he said, immerses itself in engineering technology through development of safety and racing; it also views green initiatives as important to its future.

More information is available from www.nace.org